Harbour's hopes on cool head Luke

Luke McAlister

To say Luke McAlister is crucial to North Harbour's ambitions to go beyond the national championship quarter-finals is like saying the iceberg was significant in the Titanic story.

Not only does he need to kick the goals, he will provide the hand on the tiller and that touch of All Black class to the backline against Otago at Albany on Sunday.

The 23-year-old likes being at North Harbour, enjoys the camaraderie and wants to be part of a successful campaign.

Already the Ranfurly Shield resides on that side of the harbour bridge - for the first time - courtesy of victory over Canterbury a fortnight ago.

Last year Harbour made the semifinals; win on Sunday and there's a strong chance they will be in precisely the position they were a year ago: preparing for Auckland at Eden Park in the Air New Zealand Cup semifinal.

But that's getting ahead of ourselves.

It's been a big fortnight for Harbour. First the shield, then the comedown, in the shape of a formidable Waikato in Hamilton last Sunday, a 31-15 beating, the real damage - 31-3 - being done in the first half.

"A lot of us hadn't won the shield before so we didn't know what it was like," McAlister said. "The whole week a lot of media surrounding us, the parade ... I suppose our heads were all over the place.

"Coming to front up last Sunday - and the boys were trying really hard - that week ... history goes to show teams winning then playing away, it's not good."

Too true, and Harbour were well beaten by a Waikato side making all the right moves at the right time of the season.

But this Sunday is different. Lose and that's it for the season. So how much does McAlister think about the opposition or, more specifically, who he's up against before a big game?

"You spend a little bit, but you don't go out of your way to go over the top on your opponents because you're trying to focus on your own game. I do work individually on them as a team and what they do, some basic patterns they use and try to look at weaknesses, at where to attack them."

McAlister will most likely be taking on the classy Nick Evans on Sunday, but if he's moved out to second five-eighth, the promising Callum Bruce is his likely opposite.

McAlister is relaxed on the debate over where he is best suited, first or second five-eighth. He's good enough to play both with quality, and versatility is far from a hindrance at this stage of his career.

Of his 10 test appearances, six - including his debut in the third test against the Lions last year - have been at No 10, three wearing No 12, and he's done one brief replacement turn at centre.

"I won't go out of my way to say I want to play 10 or 12, I'll do what's best for the team.

"I'm comfortable playing both, but I must admit I enjoy 12, where you get a bit of space and can have a crack, but it depends who is playing round you."

He has made decent strides in the past 12 months, winning plaudits from the All Black selectors for his increasing contribution in his test outings.

A four-test tour looms to Britain and France, although he diplomatically brings out the "if" word on that.

McAlister calls the past few months "cool". He likes that he has been "chucked in the deep end a few times" in his career, relishes an All Black environment where everyone does their job, and calls the national championship his most enjoyable rugby environment.

He's back playing with his mates and "it brings you down to earth again".

His rugby education is continuing at a good pace.

It's no surprise McAlister talks about wanting to "bring back a bit of the Harbour of old".

With his attacking instincts, he would fit in just fine with the likes of Walter Little, Glen Osborne, Eric Rush and Frank Bunce of earlier Harbour years.

And just like those days, that can lead to a spot of bother at times. But take away the spontaneity and you remove an element of what makes McAlister the player he is.

He's no automaton and you can't have it both ways.

As for Sunday?

"Just attack and play like there's no tomorrow. Give us a bit of ball and a solid set piece and we're dangerous."